Breast augmentation is the most popular elective cosmetic surgical procedure in the world. Approximately 20,000 women undergo this procedure each year in Australia, with 75% for cosmetic augmentation and 25% for reconstruction after breast surgery, such as a mastectomy. [1] Although considered to be relatively safe by the mainstream medical community, a correlation between breast…

It is widely acknowledged that exposure to toxic mould increases our risk of developing respiratory disorders but what about the link to cognitive function? How does it affect our brain? People who live, work, or go to school in buildings that have toxic mould present in them often complain of fatigue, increased anxiety and depression…

Gluten avoidance is essential for someone living with celiac disease and may be beneficial for people with gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome. But even though only one percent of the population experience these disorders, living gluten-free is popular among many people who do not have proven gluten-related diseases. In fact, a gluten-free diet…

We know that our diet and our mental health are inextricably linked. Extensive research has demonstrated that good nutrition is associated with better mental health outcomes and a poor diet can lead to a number of different conditions such as depression and anxiety. But why is this so? And what can we do about it?…

The rate of mental health issues in Australia is increasing. The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted in 2007 found that an estimated 1 in 5 (20%) Australians aged 16–85 experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months (ABS 2008). 1 With such a high proportion of our communities reporting mental health…

The relationship between Hashimoto’s disease and depression in Australia has long been recognised, with people with thyroid disorders being more prone to develop depressive symptoms. Women are more likely than men to have thyroid disease. One in eight women throughout Australia will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime.  [1] Often General Practitioners will attribute the…

In Australia, it’s estimated that 45 percent of people will experience anxiety or another mental health condition in their lifetime. In any one year, over 2 million Australians have anxiety. 1 It is in our nation’s best interest to look for ways to reduce anxiety and improve the overall wellbeing of the population. An increasing…

Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging field that achieves outstanding results in improving and resolving mental health conditions. Most of us can easily understand the connection between nutritional deficiencies and physical illness. Many people, however, are unaware of the impact nutrition has on mental health. Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging discipline shedding light on the fact…